Latvia University of Agriculture - Latvijas Lauksaimniecības ...

Z. Gaile Development of the Research and Study Farm “Vecauce”it was achieved that the Parliament of Latvia passed a special “Law about RSF “Vecauce”of Latvia University of Agriculture” on 30 October 1998. The main points stated in theLaw were:1) RSF “Vecauce” is the property of LLU and is not subject to privatization;2) RSF “Vecauce” is the base of training and scientific work for students of all levels –professional, bachelor, master, and doctoral students.The Rules of the farm stated: “The aim of RSF “Vecauce” of LLU is to secure thescientific, pedagogical and economical activities of Latvia University of Agriculture”.Since its first registration in the Company Register of the Republic of Latvia in 1991,“Vecauce” has changed its name and business type several times: from 1990 to 1999 itwas a public enterprise, from 1999 to 2004 – a public, scientific non-profit organization,but since 2004 – a limited liability company. Studies, training and research are the maintasks of the farm nowadays. It should be pointed out that through the years the farm hassurvived mostly thanks to its own money earned in the production. The first Europeanfunds (for instance, SAPARD) were not available for public enterprises. On the basis ofthe first “Special Purpose Program of “Vecauce” Development 1999-2001” (worked out inaccordance with the “Law about RSF “Vecauce” of Latvia University of Agriculture”), thefirst funding (78 730 LVL) from the state budget for research and study purposes wasreceived in 1999 (Latvijas Lauksaimniecības …, 1998). Later continuations of this programwere worked out on a regular basis (Latvijas Lauksaimniecības …, 2004). All the “SpecialPurpose Programs of “Vecauce”” emphasize three main interrelated directions of thefarm work nowadays: 1) many-branched production of agriculture products, 2) teachingand practical training of students, advisory work, and 3) research in agriculture.Agricultural Production at “Vecauce”All three main directions of the operation of the RSF “Vecauce” have the samesignificance. For the teaching of students and advisory work with farmers, modernexemplary production is needed, but problems related to production can be solved byresearch. Such type of farm as “Vecauce” provides continuous linkage between studies,research, and production.For its operation the farm has to earn the most amount of money by means ofproduction. At the beginning of the survey period the farm was in good condition.Total land area on 1 September 1997 was 2.6 thousand ha, of which agricultural landwas 2.3 thousand ha. High average yields of field crops were obtained in 1990: smallgrain cereals – 4.3 t ha -1 , forage root-crops – 50.0 t ha -1 , potato – 22.6 t ha -1 , hay –5.8 t ha -1 . Certified seed of winter wheat, spring barley, oat, peas, several varieties ofpotato, red clover, and timothy was grown. Almost 1000 t of certified cereal seed wassold per year. Maintenance breeding of winter wheat, spring barley, peas, and potatowas done. As mentioned above, since 1987, the milk yield per cow per year exceededthe 5000 kg border, and made up 5476 kg per cow in 1990. Milk and meet as well aspedigree cattle of all species were produced on the farm.The succeeding 10 years were hard for the farm. Equipment and productioninfrastructure were gradually wearing out. During the first years of the independentLatvia “Vecauce” encountered difficulties in selling the products; usually payment for theproducts delayed for several months or even longer. At the same time, money was neededto purchase fuel, mineral fertilizers, pesticides, and electricity. Therefore, in 1993, smallmilk and meat processing plants were established. Nobody knew what kind of productswill be needed the next year: one year certified seed was sold with good success, but thenext year farmers did not buy it. “Vecauce” has survived inflation, replacement of theSoviet rouble by Latvian rouble (which, in its turn, later was replaced by Latvian Lats),and bankruptcy of the bank “Baltija”. During the ten years concentration of productionwas made, operation of some branches was ceased and of some was changed, the staffnumber was reduced. In 2000, the pig farm was sold out due to the crisis and unstablesituation in pork production in Latvia. In the same year, sheep breeding was interrupted.Glasshouses as a branch were liquidated in 2002; milk and meet processing was ceasedin 2003. The years after 1990 were difficult and the staff worked self-denyingly forsurvival of the farm. Unfortunately, the high level of production decreased and was againreached only in 2004-2005.As SAPARD funding and similar European funds were not available for publicenterprises, “Vecauce” tried to attract investments from different projects in orderto improve the material-technical basis of the production. During the last part of theLatvia University of Agriculture – 70, 2009 129